Heritage Hall Museum - Current Exhibits
"Strings Attached" featuring Shellie Reese
September 6 - October 2, 2009
Reception - Sept. 6th 2:00 - 3:30 PM
The Laying of the Towels by Shellie Reese
Artist's Statement:
A collection of works, old and, new, make up this exhibit.. Some are on loan from my family and depict the Talladega life of my parents' childhood and of mine. Others are self portraits of sorts from my own walls at home in Gulf Shores. And a few are new and for sale because I'm not too attatched to them----yet.
That's one reason the show is called "Strings Attatched". By the time I finish a piece, it's hard for me to let it go. Another explanation is that I hope the viewer will identify with the painting somehow and be pulled into the detail of it. Or maybe the simple truth is that I like to draw strings. I also like to draw balloons and unicycles and little elf-like characters wearing hats. In fact, the drawing itself is most important to me. I really only add color for the viewers sake and usually watercolor as it is the easiest for me to handle.
So I consider myself an illustrator rather than a painter. The title of each piece is also very important because it sums up my whole idea into a few words and ties the piece together----sort of like a string around a balloon!
I never have a shortage of ideas to illustrate. However, my favorite thing to do is commission work. The client describes a specific scene that they want depicted with details----a toy they loved or a dress they always wore. Nothing is more rewarding than watching the joy on someones face when they see their own memory come to life.
I'm often asked why I draw the way I do, in this whimsical fashion. I don't really know for sure, but I suspect the answer lies somewhere in my childhood here in Talladega.
Pair O'Docks
The Sock Broker
Contact Info:
Website address - www.shellievision.com
Telephone: 251-609-7000